Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and Emergency Recreational Shooting Order

Associated Documents

Forest Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails in the Tonto National Forest, described in detail below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Appendix A (the "Described Area"):

1.    Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.
36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a)

2.    Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d)

3.    Welding or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h)

4.    Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(m) 

THE FOLLOWING ACT ARE PROHIBITED FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.:
5.    Operating a chain saw or other equipment operated by an internal combustion engine. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(9)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from the provisions in this Order:

1.    Persons operating generators with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the generator Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device.

2.    Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device.

3.    Persons with Forest Service form FS-7700-48, Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order, specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

4.    Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.

5.    Persons engaged in legal hunting activity pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations are allowed to discharge a firearm while taking wildlife.

DESCRIBED AREA

All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the exterior boundaries of the Tonto National Forest, as depicted in Appendix A.

IMPLEMENTATION
1.    This Order will be effective on Thursday, May 01, 2025, at 08:00am, and shall remain in effect until it is rescinded.
2.    A map of the Described Area is incorporated into this Order as Appendix A.
3.    Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4.    A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C.
§§ 3559, 3571, 3581.
5.    Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Cave Creek Ranger District in Scottsdale AZ, (480) 595-3300, the Globe Ranger District in Globe, AZ, (928) 402-6200, the Mesa Ranger District in Mesa, AZ, (480) 610- 3300, the Payson Ranger District in Payson, AZ, (928) 474-7900, the Tonto Basin Ranger District in Roosevelt, AZ, (602) 225-5395 and the Tonto National Forest Supervisor's Office in Phoenix, AZ, (602) 225-5200.

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